Nurse Practitioner NHCLC is accountable to the ACOS/GEC&R or designee for the coordination and oversight of clinical and administrative activities in the NHCLC. The incumbent is responsible for performance improvement activities in the NHCLC. Directs clinical activities to Veterans admitted to NHCLC.

Duties

The Geriatrics, Extended Care & Rehab Advanced Practice Nurse devotes 100% of time to direct patient care, serves as a role model for peers. Responsible for the oversight and coordination of process improvement initiatives, assuring teamwork, and addressing customer service issues in the NHCLC. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnostic work-up and clinic intervention, including comprehensive patient assessment, health history, physical examination, and patient education to Veterans in the NHCLC setting. Function as an integral part of a NHCLC multi-disciplinary team to coordinate, facilitate, and provide patient care and services. Discriminate between normal and abnormal findings to establish a diagnosis and initiate appropriate response to emergency health problems. Initiate appropriate referrals and consultations to other clinical services. Order and evaluate diagnostic tests as appropriate, recommend treatment and/or referral. Validate the effectiveness of previously implemented medical treatment. Initiate. evaluate, and change orders for medications. Include patient and family in planning care and establishing realistic measurable goals for health maintenance/improvement. Record/document health appraisal information, clinical assessments, treatment decisions, plan of care, ongoing management and therapeutic outcomes, order medications, diagnostic tests and referral consultations where needed for every patient encounter; recording will be accomplished using the electronic comprehensive patient record system (CPRS) and will be completed on the day of the encounter. Respond to computerized alerts, indicating diagnostic test abnormalities and to health line requests from Veterans/family members on the day of receipt (weekends excepted); Follow Performance Measure guidelines, including completion of clinical reminders in CPRS; access and timeliness standards; prescription order entry, National VA formulary requirements, and customer service standards. Work effectively with patients. families, members of the multi-disciplinary team, and other CAVHCS staff Demonstrates flexibility in responding to clinic demands. adhere to personal and professional obligations and responsibilities, practice and maintain ethical standards, and sustain a work environment that is harmonious and customer service oriented. Promote all NHCLC initiatives. Other Duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing. (1) Education Accreditation Requirement. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant; (a) The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (Note: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013. ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify.); OR (b) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level. (2) Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent Nurse Practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active and unrestricted registration and certification (see paragraph 2c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. Licensure and Certification: The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment.(1) APNs (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted APN license to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. (a) All APNs (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: i The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); ii The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB); or iii Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. (b) The required basic certification as a Nurse Practitioner must be identified in support of any position being established or filled as an APN (NP). An approved list of NP/APN certifications may be found on the Office of Nursing site at the Office of Nursing Services. (c) Basic certification as a nurse practitioner is a condition of employment and qualifying factor for the specific assignment. (d) APNs (NPs) are credentialed and privileged to provide care based upon scope of practice, formal graduate nursing educational preparation, certification, and patient population. It is the focus of care based on patient care needs, not the care setting, that defines the provider's scope of practice and basic certification required. The scope of practice is determined by the provider's formal academic education and basic Nurse Practitioner certification. The assignment will either require a specific basic certification as a nurse practitioner, i.e., Mental Health, Women's Health, etc., or may allow for more than one basic nurse practitioner certification. (e) The APNs (NPs) may also hold a specialty certification which in many cases is not specific to a Nurse Practitioner role. Specialty certifications may be highly recommended but are not required as a condition of employment or required for an assignment and do not support the basic board certification nurse practitioner requirement. Accepted Specialty certifications for this position are: Psychiatric/Mental Health. Preferred experience: One to two years of Outpatient Mental Health experience providing diagnostic assessments and pharmacotherapy. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of an APN (NP) is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination for appointment, advancement and promotion will be based on the following specific requirement for an APN (NP). The level of practice at which an APN (NP) may perform is based upon a combination of many factors. Beyond the minimum educational requirements, grade determination, upon appointment and advancement, is dependent upon aspects such as continued professional development (formal and/or informal education), clinical performance, judgment, outcomes (at the service level and beyond), leadership and interpersonal skills that influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond. As the APN (NP) acquires the knowledge, skills and judgment that accrues with experience, the privilege of increased authority for patient care and service in administrative roles is expanded as applicable. (1) APN (Nurse Practitioner) II. (a) Scope. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. (b) Education and Experience Requirement. D Meets basic education requirement for APN (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. (5) APN (Nurse Practitioner) III. (a) Scope. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. (b) Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP). AND ii One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6a APN Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. A pre-placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htmor https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp.- If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.- If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery 215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, AL 36109 US
• Name: Courtney Sturdivant
• Email: [email protected]